CHICAGO — Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland this morning said Gov. Chris Christie is either lying or incompetent in claiming that he knew nothing about a top aide’s order to shut down access lanes to the George Washington Bridge.

“I’m suggesting two things, two possibilities: Either the governor knew and he is lying, or he is the most inept, incompetent chief executive imaginable,” Strickland said at a press conference this morning arranged by the Democratic National Committee, just one block where Christie was scheduled to give a talk to the Economic Club of Chicago two hours later.

Strickland, a Democrat, served one term before his defeat in 2010 by Republican John Kasich, whom Christie campaigned for.

The Democratic National Committee has been trailing Christie for all his Republican Governors Association fundraising events. Since January, they’ve sent surrogates to attack him in Florida and Texas.

Jon Thompson, a spokesman for the Republican Governors Association, called Strickland a "loser who couldn't even convince his own voters in Ohio that he had his head on straight."

"If the DNC and DGA want a failed governor like Strickland to be the face of the Democratic Party - by all means keep it up," Thompson said.

As Strickland spoke, several men stood behind him with hastily-written signs with slogans such as “Stop the culture of bullying,” “Christie = a GOP liability” and “Christie is a Traffic Jam.”

“I was the governor of a large state. I was surrounded by top staff,” Strickland said. “In my judgment it is impossible for these types of things to have happened in Chris Christie’s office without his knowledge or his consent.”

Added Strickland: “If he is so incompetent in his judge of character and his oversight of his administration, then God help us if he becomes president.”

Strickland said Christie is “at his core a bully,” and that his spats at town hall meetings with teachers and a Navy SEAL are now being seen in a different light.

In addition to his talk, Christie plans a series of Windy City fundraisers for the Republican Governors Association (RGA), which he has chaired since November.

This morning, the RGA announced that it set a fundraising record under Christie’s watch in January, raising $6 million.

“The RGA has solid financial footing to elect and re-elect Republican Governors in the 36 gubernatorial races this year, and is in strong position to counter the public sector union influence on the other side,” RGA communications chairwoman Gail Gitcho said in a statement, adding that Christie plans future fundraising trips to Massachusetts, Utah, Georgia, Connecticut and Michigan..

But while Christie has had no problem raising money for the organization, Republican gubernatorial candidates have kept their distance. None appeared publicly with Christie in Texas and Florida, and only one of four Illinois candidates plans to greet Christie in front of the cameras today.

Illinois Senate President John Cullerton, who was also at the press conference, said it’s a “tough” call whether he thinks Christie should stay on as RGA chairman.

“Because maybe we should keep doing what you’re doing,” Cullerton said. “Keep going around the nation and having Republicans avoiding being in the same room as the head of the Republican Governors Association.”

The Democratic National Committee has been criticized for charging so hard at Christie over the last month, but failing to provide support to former state Sen. Barbara Buono, his Democratic challenger last year.

Strickland said he visited Buono in New Jersey and gave her advice, as did a top aide. He also joined a fundraising call for her with Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.). But Strickland mispronounced her name.

“I was in New Jersey. I spent some time with candidate Bruno,” Strickland said. “And she’s an incredibly talented and impressive person. And I only wish the people of New Jersey had the opportunity to go back and recast their votes because I think they now know what a terrific person she was and what a great opportunity was missed.”